Conflict-Initiating Factors in Intergenerational Relationships

Abstract

Abstract:This study examined American young adults' written accounts of intergenerational communication with a focus on factors that initiate conflict. Analysis of the conflict scenarios in intergenerational relationships revealed seven types of initiating factors. Results also indicated that the type of relationship with older adults was associated with the frequency distribution of five of the seven initiating factors. Specifically, young adults perceived they were criticized and rebuffed by nonfamily elders more frequently than by family elders, whereas young people tended to disagree with and rebuff family elders more than nonfamily elders. Furthermore, young people reported more incidents of illegitimate demand from family elders than from nonfamily elders. Results are discussed with respect to intergenerational communication research and the Communication Predicament of Aging Model.

Implications of metastereotypes for attitudes toward intergenerational contact

“…Interestingly, although more than a quarter of individuals they surveyed reported experiencing ageism—making it the most commonly reported form of discrimination experienced by British adults— young adults were by far the most likely to report encountering this type of prejudice (Abrams et al, 2009), highlighting that age-related prejudice can affect younger and older individuals alike. Zhang and Lin (2009), for example, report that young adults see themselves as “criticized and rebuffed” by elders outside the family. Finding ways to improve people’s experiences of interage contact is vital, for high-quality contact between people of different ages, although infrequent, can not only improve young adults’ attitudes regarding and behavior towards older persons (Bousfield & Hutchison, 2010; Drury, Hutchison, & Abrams, 2016), but can buffer the susceptibility of older adults to phenomena such as age-based stereotype threat (Abrams, Eller, & Bryant, 2006).…”

Effects of social identity salience on motivational orientation and conflict strategies in intergenerational conflict

“…Research suggests that conflict in intergenerational relationships is not uncommon due to dissatisfactory communication between younger and older adults (Zhang & Lin, ). Some researchers speculated that intergenerational conflict will increasingly become a problem in the workplace as individuals have greater opportunities to work with colleagues from other generations who are likely to possess different norms and values (Dencker, Joshi, & Martocchio, ).…”

‘We won't get ahead speaking like that!’ Expressing and managing language criticism in Hawai'i

“…In many cases, people reported that they had been criticised by family members, like parents or grandparents (see Zhang and Lin 2009). Individuals also acknowledged that their parents or grandparents were considering their long-term professional success, in critiquing speech.…”